Communities of Brotherly Love - January 2

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more…

Reflect

What are some ways brotherly love should be demonstrated in Christian communities?

If I asked you to name the “City of Brotherly Love,” you’d likely say, “Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.” It’s true that the name Philadelphia comes from two Greek words—“phileo” which means “to love” and “adelphos” meaning “brother.” Hence the city’s moniker.

But based on what Paul wrote in today’s verses, if we asked him which city is the city of brotherly love, he just might say, Thessalonica in Macedonia. Not just because Philadelphia, Pennsylvania didn’t exist in his day, but because the church in Thessalonica was known for its love all throughout the region of Macedonia. They generously supported and served other believers both in their own city and in the surrounding communities. Still, Paul urged them to love the brethren even more.

Paul started off by saying that it isn’t really necessary for anyone to write to them and tell them how to love one another because they have already been taught by God. Now, that’s true for all believers. When we place our faith in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit and love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). In fact, Jesus told His disciples that the world would identify them as Christ followers by their love for one another (John 13:34-35).

In Romans 5:5, Paul wrote that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” The apostle John had a lot to say about brotherly love in his first letter. He said, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). In other words, our love is a litmus test for whether or not we actually know God through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

So, we know that we are supposed to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. But how? What does love look like? Paul answered that for us in 1 Corinthians 13, the famous “love passage”: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). Yes, this passage is often read at weddings but this kind of love shouldn’t be limited to marriages! This is the kind of love that all believers should have for one another.

But none of us are perfect. While we’ve been taught by God how to love one another and we have God’s love poured into our hearts, we still have opportunities for growth in this area. All of us can love each other better. All of us can show more love to those around us. May we be like the Thessalonians believers! May our churches be known as communities of brotherly love. May we love each other more and more!

Respond

Lord, I know that we love because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). Thank You for teaching us how to love. But I know I need Your help to love my brothers and sisters in Christ even more than I already do. Increase my love for all the saints. Amen.

Reveal

How can you reveal the love of God to someone today?